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Post by rizahawkeye on Jun 9, 2008 19:46:18 GMT -5
Todd nodded understandingly. "Okay." he said, feeling some heat rise into his face, "Yeah, I am kinda new here... I'm not used to cities."
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Post by Orca on Jun 9, 2008 20:00:04 GMT -5
Anita was silent for a moment, assuming that what Malcolm had to say next wasn't so casual. She glanced down at her mostly-empty fuel can, reminding herself that she had paid upon receiving it.
"Um, sure. There're some empty lots over toward the hangers. This way."
She took the lead, taxiing away to the north of the station. There was space off the lane's shoulder: not exactly covert, but out of the way enough. Pivoting around on one wheel, she decided not to mince words, "Is it about Ari?"
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Post by Evangeline on Jun 9, 2008 20:06:58 GMT -5
Malcolm nodded. "Yes... I just saw him, not two hours ago."
"And you'll understand that this is a busy place, not like Wherethehellisit, Alaska or wherever you came from, you can't just dwaddle in the taxiway like that." the marshaller replied tersely. He muttered under his breath. "Why is it always ME who has to break in the bush-babies?" Finally, they reached the apron. "There you go. Fuel stop is to the left, everything else, just keep on going and follow the signs."
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Post by rizahawkeye on Jun 9, 2008 20:11:17 GMT -5
Todd gave, yet another sheepish smile and nodded, "Okay...I get it. Thanks a lot!" He said, waving a wing with appreciation.
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Post by Orca on Jun 9, 2008 20:17:07 GMT -5
The Mustang was silent once more, pensive, letting the words sink in. She wasn't sure if she should be feel elated or worried. Going for neither, she focused on a third option: keep calm, grapple for a simple query.
Less than two hours from here.
Her biggest concern: "Was he... operational?" The word okay would be too broad. Leaving a respectable pylon racing career for some shady, nothing existance - he couldn't be 100% right in the head.
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Post by Evangeline on Jun 9, 2008 20:44:22 GMT -5
"Yes, he appeared to be in great shape, at least physically." Malcolm nodded. "I don't know about that space behind his eyes, though. He has a whole different paintjob and hangs out in a gestalt, with an FW-190 female and twin Mustang brothers - they call him "Raid." When I came across them, they were buzzing some poor Cessna kid. That's the downside of being a 3rd-gen warbird - military is all jets now, so if you don't want to race or re-enact, the only other prospect for excitement is to hang out and get in trouble."
"You're welcome." the forklift muttered, not unkindly. He hoped the kid wasn't going to run into any trouble. A small, solitary aircraft was gestalt bait these days.
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Post by rizahawkeye on Jun 9, 2008 20:48:00 GMT -5
Todd gave one more smile before heading towards the fuel station. His tank rumbled dully and he new he needed to top off before he went anywhere.
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Post by Orca on Jun 9, 2008 20:53:28 GMT -5
"Ain't that the truth," Anita muttered, half under her breath and with a faraway look. The Spitfire knew how significant this development was for her. He wouldn't dare make something like that up.
It was so unfathomable, though. Her big brother, successful racer turned petty bully?
"So, what happened? Did they harass the guy until he took a nosedive?"
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Post by Evangeline on Jun 9, 2008 21:00:13 GMT -5
Malcolm pressed his lips into a tight line. "I put a stop to it before it came to that. Poor kid was scared out of his mind. It was then that Ari and I recognized each other, and after a few words, he followed them out. I think that FW-190 sucked him into it. She seemed to have some kind of hold on him."
He paused as he saw the Cessna going in. "That's the boy they were after."
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Post by rizahawkeye on Jun 9, 2008 21:14:32 GMT -5
Todd looked around, opened his door and let his wallet fall out. He then reversed, grabbed it into his teeth and went over to the fueling station. He ordered a few gallons of much needed fuel and found a small corner to sip the fuel through the can.
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Post by Orca on Jun 9, 2008 21:23:40 GMT -5
Anita studied the blue-white Cessna, feeling equal parts sympathy, shame, and resentment. Innocent enough. Too harmless for anyone to harry for no reason than a few laughs. To think her brother would stoop so low...
Whoever this Luftwaffe wannabe was, the Mustang would have a few strongly worded thrashings in store for the tramp, come the day they meet.
"You think I should go apologize to him?" she wondered aloud. "If Ari's truly incapacitated, I imagine it will be some time before he could have a chance to offer repent."
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Post by Evangeline on Jun 9, 2008 21:37:02 GMT -5
"I was going to check up on him anyway." Malcolm nodded. He allowed Anita to take the lead, all too aware that he cut a very intimidating figure for a young stranger.
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Post by rizahawkeye on Jun 9, 2008 21:40:53 GMT -5
Todd continued sipping at his fuel and was too focused on his drink to noticed the two aircrafts coming towards him.
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Post by Orca on Jun 9, 2008 21:45:50 GMT -5
Greeting a total stranger and striking up conversation had become second nature to the Mustang. This wasn't outside her comfort zone. The confronting an unwilling recipent of her brother's newfound tendancies - that was novel ground.
"Excuse me, sir?" Anita prodded gently, careful to keep her tone soft but reserved. "May we speak to you for a moment?"
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Post by rizahawkeye on Jun 9, 2008 21:47:08 GMT -5
Todd looked up, slightly startled, "Wh-who...me?" he asked, his eyes widening.
The feeling of fright, like electricity ran through him... the feeling that a student has when they hear their name called over the loud speaker, being summoned to the principle's office. What did I do wrong?
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